STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1574

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   S.B. No. 376

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 376, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure to improve the health of children and the agricultural economy through the support of school gardens, health and nutrition education, agriculture, and the procurement of locally grown food for school meals and snacks by:

 

     (1)  Establishing a Farm to School Program in the Department of Agriculture; and

 

(2)  Appropriating funds for a Farm to School Coordinator position to oversee the Farm to School Program.

 

     The University of Hawaii, three Members of the Kauai County Council, Hawaii State Teachers Association, National Farm to School Network, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Green Growth, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Farm to School and School Garden Hui, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and many individuals provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Agriculture, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Hawaii Island School Garden Network submitted comments.  

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the number of Farm to School Coordinator positions funded by this measure to an unspecified number; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 376, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 376, S.D. 2, H.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair